Positive Reinforcement by Leah

Positive Reinforcement by Leah - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

I can remember clearly my first day of high school, seventh period, stricken with fear as I sat in Mrs. Morrison’s Biology I Honors class. She seemed equal parts intimidating, intelligent, and interesting. The more time I spent in her classroom, the more I loved her, and she easily became my favorite teacher in a short period of time. She was—and is—filled with respect for her students, which, in turn, made has a respected teacher.

There are some people that believe that in public education students don’t receive the specific attention they might need in a subject. Mrs. Morrison defied this stereotype. She was a teacher I had that was always willing to go the extra mile—provide us with study guides, stay after school if we needed extra help, and encourage us to do our best. She’s extremely passionate about science and it was evident in her teaching. My junior year of high school, she started teaching Anatomy and Physiology, and despite my general interest in science, I took it as an elective for the sole purpose of knowing I’d be lucky enough to have her as a teacher once more. It ended up that I enjoyed the class, mainly because of Mrs. Morrison herself and her exuberant teaching style.

I consider myself fortunate to have had Mrs. Morrison as a teacher twice during high school and she will forever be incredibly memorable. She is the reminder that not all teachers are the same and a positive reinforcement to students of all backgrounds. If I were ever to teach one day (however, in a more literature-based field, I admit), I could only hope to be as great as she is.